Newspaper Page Text
THE GUNBOAT.
Augusta, April 2d, 1842.
Mr. Gardner-Mj pupils desire me to place> in
your keeping *63, which they present us a contri
bution to P the Gunboat Fund. They expressi a
preference for Tatnall as the name of the contem
plated vessel. Rsspectfnliy, .
Your obedient servant,
W. J. Harp.
Amount previously reported, *3,361 80
Amount from Mrs T J Hamilton for ladies of
Columbia county, *l5O
From the ladies of Warrenton, *l6B 50
Mrs Mary E Blain, *5
Miss Maria 0 Blain, *5
Mrs John N Tilley, Talliaferro county, *5
Master George Tilly do do *1
Master Jimmie Tilly do do 50c
Mrs W W Carter, Saundersville, Ga., *5
Mrs H A McConnell, do do *5
Mrs J I Irwin, de do *5
Miss Julia M Warthen, do do *5
Pupils of Rev W J Hard, *63
Mrs T J Bowman, *5
Mrs Elizabeth Blackwell, *o
Near Crawfordvillb, April 1, 1862.
Mr. Jamks Gardner —Please find our contribu
tion *5, for myself, *1 for my son George, and 50
cents for my little son, Jimmie, only 5 years old.
Hope to soon see the boat afloat.
I am respectfully,
Mrs. John M. Tilley.
P. 8. Please receipt this our mite.
Dr Hamilton, *lO. Mrs F 8 H, *2O.
Mrs John Butler, *2O. Mr John Butler, *4O
-D P Stanford, *6. Mrs John Wilson, *5.
Miss Betsy Wilson, *5. Mrs H Lazenby, *5.
Miss Lou Florence, *2. Mrs Jim Backry, *2.
Mrs J H Stockton, *5. Mrs Jas R Wilson, *5
G W Hozendorf, *2. Mr Sandy Worrill, *B.
Mr J S Watson, *5. Mrs M 8 Stovall, *5.
Mrs T J Hamilton, *lO.
Received trom the above named persons in the
neighborhood of Thomson by the hands .of Mrs.
T. J. Hamilton.
Augusta, April Ist, 1862.
Mr. Editor—Enclosed you will find ten dollars
(*10) which you will please receive as my moth
er’s and my own subscription to the Gunboat,
which 1 should like to hear called Our Tatnall,
after the old hero whose "sun is setting glorious
ly." Five dollars is for mother and five for my
self. Yours respectfully, Ac.,
Mrs. Mary E. Blain,
Miss Maria C. Blain.
FROM WARRENTON.
Mrs J T Baker, *5
Mrs Caroline Wheeler, *5
Mis M A Lynab, *5
Mrs M B Veazey, *1
Mrs Frances H Smith, 25 cents
Mrs II P Jones, *2
Mrs E Reese, *1
Mrs O B Heath, 50 cents
Miss R Heath, 50 cents
Miss M Shaw, *1
Mrs J Spence, *1
Mrs H Spence, 25 cents
Mrs R A Heath, *5
Mrs J Wellborce, *5
Mrs M II Wellborne, *5
Miss S V Weliborne; *5
Mrs J W McGehee, *2
Mrs N Fowler, *5
Mrs N Darden, *2
Mrs J Lazenoy, *1
Mrs F Anderson, *5
Miss J Anderson, *2
Mrs A M Jackson, *29
Mrs F W Stevens, *2
M Beddo, *3
R nv m P hr y. $2
Mrs 8 .Smith,
Mrs G Ivey, *1
Mrs A C Battle, *5
Mrs V A Johnson, *5
Mrs A E Pilcher, *2
Mrs V Hubert, *5
Mrs A Hubert, *1
Miss Gmnie Hubert, *2
Miss Rosa Hubert, *1
Miss L Hall, *5
Mrs M V Hall, *5
Mrs M B Hall, *2
Mrs A Brinkley, *5
Mrs 8 Whaley, *5
Mrs S Felts, *L
Mrs E Veazey, *2,
Mrs 8 Gibson, *5
Mrs C Gibson, *2
Airs G Hudson.
J Buckhalter. *3
Mrs H Baker. *2.50
Mrs E Johnson, *1
Mrs G V Neal, *5
Mrs E H Pottle, *4
Miss M Hudson, *2
Mrs Pemble. *2
Mrs Jones, *2
Mrs Martha Cason, *2
Total $l6B 5o
Btilesboro’, Ga., March 28,1862.
Mr. Gardner —We enclose you the following
contributions from the Ladies of Stilesboro’, Bart,
tow county, and neighborhood around, for the
purpose of aiding the Gunboat enterprize :
Mrs Dr E C Jones, *lO.
Mrs Dr S F Stephens, *lO.
Mrs MA Mosely, *lO.
Mrs R H Cannon, *5.
Mrs William L Rowland, *6.
Mrs James G Ryals, *5.
Mrs Thompson Colbert, *5.
Mrs D B Conyers, *5.
Mrs Mary J Burge, $5.
Mrs John L Rowland, *5.
Mrs William T Burge, *5.
Mrs John Patterson, *5.
Mrs Thos Tumlin, *5.
Mrs John F Sproull, *5.
Mrs W W Shaw, *4.
Mrs C T Shelman, *2.
Mrs James Hutchinson, *2.
Mrs George Hutchinson, *2.
Mrs Thos W Brandon, *2.
Mrs D L Wingard, *2.
Mrs R M McDonald, *2.
Mrs E H Sproull, *2.
Mrs John G Colbert, *2.
Mrs Bryant T Leek, *2.
Mrs Mary Davidson, *l.
Mrs Wm Thurmon, *l.
Miss Willie Thurmon, *l.
Mrs Dr J T Center, *l.
Mrs Wm Jackson, *l.
Mrs John Shelton, *l.
Mrs Millington Waldrup, *l.
Mrs E 8 Moody, *l.
Mrs Major Nelson, *l.
Mrs James Shuffle, *l.
MrsM Ellison, 50 Cents.
Mrs Dr John C Sims, 50 Cents.
Mrs J W Clayten, 50 Cents.
Miss Betsy Rogers, *l.
Miss Caroline Chapman, *l.
Miss Betsy Sproull, *l.
Miss M J McCormic, *l.
Miss Elvira Henderson, *l.
Mrs William Jolly, *2.
Mrs C C Andrews, *l.
Miss Nancy Burge, *l.
Miss Ella Stephens, *l.
Miss Fortina Milner, 50 Cents.
Miss Texana Burge, 50 Cents.
Miss Willie Evins, 50 Cents.
Miss Bettie Mays, 50 Cents.
Miss Susan Burge, 25 Cents.
Miss Lilia Wingard, 25 Cents.
Miss Letitia Mays, 25 Cents.
Master W Patterson, 25 Cents.
Miss Lydia Andrews, 25 Cents.
Please receipt in your weekly and oblige.
Respectfully,
Mrs. Dr. E. C. Jones,
Mrs. Dr. 8. F. Stephens
Mr. Gardner: Dear Sir: The undersigned
ladies of Burke send their contributions (amount
ing to one hnndred and sixty-one dollars and
seventy-five cents), to aid in building the gunboat.
The list is still open, and you may expect to hear
again from the ladies of Burke county.
Mrs R Harlow, *5
Mrs W S C Morris, *5
Mrs T 8 Mclntosh, *5
Mrs G Dowse, *5
Miss Rosa Dowse, *5
Miss Ruth Harlow, *2 50
Mrs J A Harlow, *2 50
Master Southworth R Harlow, 50 cts
Mrs M E Mandell, *5
Miss Lottie Carter, *5
Miss Julia Carter, 50 cts
MtßS.Eiiza Caruthers, *5
Mrs C A Byne, *6
Mrs B Gregory, *2
Mrs A E Garlic, *1
Mrs T 11 Blount, *5
Mrs E 11 Blount, *5
Mrs A M Rodgers, *3
Mrs Wm U Sturges, *5 .
Mrs R G Southall, *2
Mrs Dr Howard, *5
Mrs J R Whitehead, *5
Mrs A 8 Corker, *2
Mrs B G Winter, *2
Mrs A A Cameron, *2
Miss 8 A Cameron, *2
Miss F Modesett, *2
Mrs L Apel, *2
Mrs H Hardwick, *1
Mrs J A Dison. *2
Miss Eliza Caruthers Carter, 50c
Mrs V F Fulcher, *2
Mrs James Attaway, *2
Mrs A P Lambeth, *2
Miss E A Lambeth, *1
Mrs John Attaway, *5
Mrs 8 Barron, *1
Mrs 8 E Kilpatrick, *5
Mrs E A Bhaw, *2 50c
Mrs Ezekiel Attaway, *1
Mrs 8 Cates, *1
Mrs 8 Watkins, *2
Mrs 8 M Hamilton, *2 50c
Mrs 8 A Churchill, *5
Mrs 8 D Corker, $5
Mrs J W Hayne, *5
Mrs E E Salmon, *2 50c
Mrs Ellington Attaway, *5
Mrs Jon Carswell, *5
Mrs J D Perry *2 50c
Miss A Perry, *2 50c
Mrs Holton, *1
Miss Isabella Holton, 25 cts
Mrs J Scott, *1
Mrs J Agerton. 50 cts
Mrs Thomas, *5
Mrs A Boyd, *2
Mrs J Forth, *1
Mrs A H Duke, *1
Calhoun, Ga., March 29th, 1862.
Mr. Editor : Below find a list ot contributions
to the Ladies Gunboat Fund, which please pub
lish m your daily, and very much oblige
Mrs. J E Parrott,
Mrs J N Scott:
Mrs J W Jackson, *5
Mrs J N Scott, *4
Mrs J E Parrntt, *3
Miss Rennie Baird, *5
Miss Matt A Scott, *l.
Miss Callie McConnell, *4 50
Mrs R M Young, *2
Mrs N J Boaz *2
The Misses O’Callaghan, *2
Mrs Dr D G Hunt, *1
Mrs Thos A Foster, *1
Mrs W J Key, *1
Mrs Sarah Key, *1
Mrs J R Wylie, *1
Mrs G J Fain, *1
Mrs J H Malone, *1
Mrs M L Matthews, *1
Mrs J N Carter, *1
Mrs J B Richards, 50 cts
Mrs A B Echols, 25 cts
Mrs M L Shepperd, 50 cts
Mrs E Sullivan, 50 cts
Miss Matt Sullivan 50 cts
Miss Fannie Barker, 50 cts
Miss M B Rembert, 50 cts
Miss J P Daniel, 50 cts
Miss Lizzie Cantrell, 50 cts
Mrs F Rogers, 50 cts
Mrs W E Brogdon, 50 cts
Mrs M L Watters, 50 cts
Mrs J D Ingles, *1
Mrs J Daniel. *1
Mrs Dennis Johnson, *5
Amount enclosed, *SO fisc
Mt. Zion, March 28,1862.
To Col. James Gardner —For the Georgia Gun
boat from the ladies of Mt. Zion :
Mrs R L Hunt, *5.
Neppie Hunt, *l.
Little Mattie Allen, *l.
Mrs P H Burt, *5.
Little Mary Simonton, *2.
Mrs G Bryan, *5.
Mrs C Shivers, *l.
Mrs S Shivers, $2.
Mrs M H Greene, *5.
Mrs C Shell, *l.
Mrs E Little, *2.
Mrs B Little. *5.
Mrs P H Allen, *5
Mrs M Northen, *5.
Mrs J Connei, $5.
Julia Connei, *2.
Mrs E Shrine, *2.
Little Mary Shrine, *l.
Miss C Mitchell, *2.
Little Mollie Scott, 50 Cents.
LMrs C Underwood, *l.
Mrs E Harris. *lO,
Mrs S Rowe, *2.
Mrs N Neal, *2.
Miss E Ashley, *5.
Total, *77.50. , .
Please acknowledge the receipt of tne above
amount to Mrs. R. L. Hunt.
Amount received, previously published, *2,-
872.05.
Mrs Henry Edmondston, *o.
Mrs V W Fulcher, Green’s Cut, Ga., *5.
Miss Z Alona Fulcher, Green’s Cut, Ga., *l.
Miss Jennie M Fulcher, “ $ 5 -
MissM S Campbell, Columbia Mines, Ga., *l.
Miss L B Campbell, “ ll-
Mrs H D Greenwood, Richmond co., *o.
Amount from Ladies Mt Zion, Ga., *77.50.
Amount “ Stilesboro’. *141.25.
Amount “ Burke co., *171.75.
Mrs Annabella Craig, *6.
Miss Mary W Craig, *5.
Ladies of Calhoun, Ga., *50.25.
Miss Virginia L Burch, Richmond co., *□’
Gov. Brown and the Cotton Planters.—lt is
understood that some of our planters are so gree
dy for gain that they are preparing to plant large
crops of cotton, when every man of sense knows
that the salvation of the country depends upon
the next grain crop. We are authorized to say
that Governor Brown intends to recommend
the Legislature at its next session to pass a law
imposing a tax of *25.00 per bag upon every bag
of cotton made in the State what each
citizen needs for his own immediate use. If our
planters will hazard all upon a cotton crop, they
should be made to pay the whole tax of the State,
and their lands and negroes should be sold if ne
cessary to pay the tax. They would do well to
reflect before they go further. The Governor is
determined to press the passage of the law, and
public sentiment will require the Legislature to
do it. Look out gentlemen, the crop will be an
expensive one to you. Corn will pay much bet
ter.— [Federal Union.
The Crops.—Notwithstanding the exceedingly
mild winter, it is a fact that the planting season
is more backward than at any time in the last ten
years. It is usual for the planters m Middle
Georgia to commence planting corn by the 20th
of February, and finish by the 10th or 15th of
March, after which time the seeding of cotton lands
claims their attention. It is April, and we doubt
if a fourth of the corn crop has been planted, aid
nobody seems to be thinking about putting in
cotton. The extremely wet weather is the cause
of this delay. It has been warm enough, but the
lands are completely drenched with rain, and it
is impossible, even now, to put the low grounds
in order. We have yet, though, abundant time
for a large and successful crop of grain, and we
hope planters throughout the Confederacy will
devote to it all their energies.
The wheat crop, throughout the State, is said
to be well advanced, and promising an abundant
yield, so far as an opinion may be formed at this
early stage of the season.— Sav. Rep.[April Zd.
’ From th» Memphis (Tenn.) Appeal
THE BATTLE IN ARKANSAS— FURTHER DE.
TAILS.
We had an interview yesterday with an officer
direct from our army in the W eat, and fr. n m
obtained the following interesting details oi e
battle at Sugar Creek, or Elkhorn :
Gen. Price had remained at Springfield until
the enemy were in six miles of the town, when
he put his army in motion toward the Arkansas
line. There was more or less skirmishing be
tween his rearguard and the enemy s advance
until he crossed into Arkansas and effected a junc
tion with Van Dorn and .McCulloch. In all these
skirmishes, our informant says the Missouri
sharp shooters invariably got the beat of their
pursuers. Price’s object was to draw them down
into Arkansas, since Van Dorn had not joined him
at Springfield.
The Confederates rested a few days at Cove
Creek, in Washington county, Arkansas, some
thirty miles below the line. At length General
Van Dorn having got ready, he determined to go
in search of the enemy, and to make the attack
himself. The troops were ordered to cook five
days’ provisions, and move upon the enemy who
had stopped at Sugar Creek. At Bentonville, on
their way up, they encountered the Federal rear
guard, and had quite a brisk skirmish, in which
we lost one man and the enemy eight or ton. —
We also took one piece of artillery from them
there. The Confederates marched all that day
and night without food or sleep, and came up with
the enemy in the Sugar Creek hills, at half past
10 o’clock a. m., when the action at once became
general. The enemy was completely surrounded!
Gen. Price attacking them on the north and Gen.
McCulloch on the west.
It is now generally believed that we made a
mistake in surrounding the enemy and cutting off
every avenne of escape. It is thought that if we
had attacked them from one side only, as it is un
derstood Gen. Price proposed, we should have
driven them out and taken everything they had
ere the sun went down. As it was, we drove them
for two miles from all their strong positions, and
held their encampment during theYiight, with the
greater part of their commissary stores, on which
our half famished men fed.
Many of our troops who were supposed to be
captured by the enemy, have come in, and our
whole loss in killed, wounded and prisoners, will
not exceed six hundred, viz: one hundred and
twenty-five killed, two hundred and seventy-five
wounded, and two hundred prisoners. The
enemy’s loss was far greater—probably five to our
one. A Federal Colonel who was taken on the
evening of the first day, says their loss up to the
time was terrific—probably twelve hundred
to fifteen hundred—and the next morning they
lost many more, among whom were several offi
cers. Such prisoners as have escaped from them,
say that there was no exhultation among them,
so’ heavy had their losses been. The Confed
erates took two hundred and twenty-five pris
oners.
On the morning of the Bth, the enemy, having
taken a strong position during the night, reopened
the tight. The action soon became general, and
continued until about half-’past nine o’clock, by
which time Gen. Van Dorn had completed ins
arrangements to withdraw bis forces.
The reasons for our withdrawal were, first, that
a number of the Southern regiments, after the
fall of McCulloch and Mclntosh, became demors
alized, and could not be relied upon. Secondly,
some 200 Federal troops. (Germans) while fleeing
from the field, upon our ammunition wa
gons, and the teamsters supposing they intended
an attack, put whip to their horses and fled as
rapidly as possible. This left several of our bat
teries without a single round. These unfortunate
occurrences rendered it necessary for the Confed
erates to retire; and that at a time when victory
had actually perched upon their banners.
With the exception of a portion of the regi
ments thrown into confusion by the untimely
fall of McCulloch and Mclntosh, the retreat was
conducted in the utmost good order—so good, in
deed, that many did not know but that they were
making a flank movement on the enemy until
late in the afternoon. Several of our batteries
were in great danger, having to be brought off i
through the woods and ovsr hills. The enemy
did not pursue, except a few squads of cavalry ,
who followed up some of our baggage trains.
We brought off four more pieces of cannou than
we went on the field with, having lost only two
pieces, which were disabled and spiked. Several
of the enemy’s batteries were taken, but they
could not be brought off. They were dismount
ed and the wheels taken off; dry brush and
leaves were piled on them, and they were burned
by our troops.
Our list of killed and woundea is still imper
fect. Colonel Rives of the Missouri Confederates,
and Captain Churchill Clark, of the artillery,
whose loss has not heretofore been mentioned,
were killed. Their fall is greatly deplored
throughout the army. Many ether officers were
killed or wounded. General Van Dorn paid a
high compliment to Price’s army. Many of their
charges would have done credit to Napoleon’s
Old Guard. The troops in McCulloch’s division,
up to the time of his and Mclntosh’s fall, fought
with the most determined gallantry, and covered
themselves with glory.
We left the field on the second day, for the
reasons given above; ajjd yet, the result of the
battle was as good as a victory to the Confeder
ates. They have so crippled the enemy, that
they will be unable to attack us until they get
reinforcements. Price and Van Dorn, however,
can march where they please,and without moles
tation. At last accounts they were recruiting
and getting ready for another forward moves
ment, in a direction but little suspected by the
enemy.
With the exception of Stanwaiie’s regiment,
our Indian allies did not take much part in the
fight. This regiment took a battery, having ap«
proached it behind trees, and behaving with
much courage and gallantry. Owing to the early
fall of McCulloch and Mclntosh, some six or sev
en of our regiments were never brought into acs
tion. The enemy’s forces were at least double
ours.
Jgr We clip the following paragraphs from
the Savannah Republican, of April 3d :
OF for Duty.—Two regiments of the new levy
—the 49 th and 50th—now encamped at Camp Da
vis have been ordered to report themselves forth
with at an important and threatened point. They
will leave to-morrow morning.
Resignation of ttee Rev. Dr. Jfawks. The Rev.
Dr Hawks who, in consequence of his secession
proclivities, fell into great disfavor with his con
gregation, has resigned hts pastoral charge over
Cel vary Church in New York.
Firing.— Heavv cannonading was heard below
Tuesday and again yesterday. On the first men
tioned day it proceeded from the Yankee batter
ies on the river, but what they were firing at base
not been ascertained. The loud guns yesterday
afternoon have not been explained. The sound
came, apparently, from the same direction.
T otters from below report heavy and continued
regimental firing, in the direction of Red Bluff, 8.
C Monday last. It was kept up during the entire
afternoon but up to last evening no account of
an engagement had reached here.
Special Dispatch from the IS. O. Tiue Delta, March 30th.
THE WOMEN OF MISSISSIPPI IN MOTION.
Natchez, March 99,
The airls one hundred and three rank and file,
each in herself a Joan of Arc or a Maid of Sara
gossa, have completed their military organi
zation, and are in tor the war They will leave
here by steamer for New Orleans on Monday
morning. Give them a warm embrace. Hurrah
for Mississippi 1
°4th Regiment Mississippi Volunteers.—This
fine bodv'of men, eleven companies, under com
mand of Col. Wm. F. Dowd arrived in this city
Saturday morning last by the Gulf Railroad, and
proceeded five miles above the city, there to res
emit and cook a sufficiency of provisions to last
for several days. The MYssisstppians have for
long time been stationed near I ernandina, Florida,
and have been ordered to report to Gen. A Sydney
Johnston at Decatur Alabama or Chattanoga,
Tennessee. The health of the Regiment is good,
but few on the sick list. They will leave to-day
or to-morrow for their place of destination.
Sav. Hep, March 31« f.
FROM CUMBERLAND GAP.
From the Cumberland l Gap correspondent of
the Atlanta (Ga.) Southern Confederacy, dated
March 22d, we take the following extracts :
The siege has begun at Cumberland Gap, and
I have heard nothing al! day but the booming of
cannon and the sharp, quick report of small arms.
On the morning of the 20th we started to a-ttack
the force, then crossing what is called Big Creek
Gap, immediately in the vicinity of Jacksboro,
some 30 miles from this place. Our foroe con
sisted of the 3d Georgia Battalion, Major Rudler
commanding, the sth Georgia, Cot. Manning, the
29th North Carolina, Col. Vanoe, and 4 pieces
Yeiser’s light battery, with two 12-ponnder how
itzers of ijatrobe’s Battery attached. A small
squadron of cavalry acted in conjunction with
this force as advance guard. A portion of the 9th
Mississippi Regiment, recently from Pensacola,
was also acting with us—all under the command
of Maj. Gon. E. Kirby Smith. From the manner
in which he pnt things through, we say emphati
cally, without any hesitation or mental reserva
tion, the General is a trump.
The seige commenced this morning about seven
o’clock by the enemy erecting three batteries
about 2,000 yards opposite the centre of the Gap,
while they attracted attention elsewhere by a
Are of sharp shooter. The fire of their sharp
shooters, posted upon a cliff of rocks opposite our
right, was continuous, and distant trom us at
least 600 yards at the beginning. They were
well protected. Their aim was good, and their
shots proved the effectiveness of their weapons at
this distance. They mortally wounded one man,
slightly wounded two of the sth Georgia then
acting as pickets, and two or three others of other
regiments. Latrobe’s Third Maryland battery,
discovering the enemy had erected a battery,
opened on them—with what effect we cannot
tell. With a battery of three 24 pounders, we
threw shot and shell into their very midst.—
Coming too near, and being a fine target, Yelser’s
Battery opened, and this drew the attention of the
enemy to the very breastworks behind whieh
was posted the 3d Georgia Battalion, with Y el
ser’s Battery in the centre. They threw solid
shot and shell with great precision, and kept
their range well. The result of this fire upon us
was the wounding of Private R. G. Sparks, of
Capt. Kenrick’s Company C, of our corps. His
hand was very much torn by the shell, and his
head slightly bruised.
The firing ceased to<day at 4 o’clock, and the
enemy, thinking our batteries silenced, to every
appearance prepared to storm the breach and
had their regiments in the valley below
ready to move. This was again too tempting
a bait for Yeiser’s battery to refuse, so with
their rifled six-pounders they let fly at them,
and the missile, true to the aim, exploded just
in their midst, causing a scatieration instan
ter, and the enemy retired beyond range. To
morrow we expect a battle. If we do, it may
decide the fate of East Tennessee, and the com -
manding officer says he is willing to risk all that
we whip the fight if it comes. One thing is cer
tain, they can never take the Gap with artillery,
and when tbeir infantry attack us their cannon
will be silent. Our friends may rest assured that
I will give them, thro’ your paper, true and ac
curate accounts of all casualties and the pro
gress of the siege. God grant us stout arms on
the morrow, er when ever a fight comes off, as
to-day. T. D. W.
THE AFFAIR ON THE ST. MARYS-
i As the following letter purports to contain
news, we give it a place iu our columns, with the
caution to the reader that he will consider it true
or false, as to him may seem best. It is accompa
nied by no responsible name.
How long will it take men of a moderate de
gree of common sense to learn a rule of publishers
ten thousand times repeated, and the fact that no
body believes a statement for which nobody ap
‘pears to be responsible?
‘To Editor Savannah Republican .-
"Having noticed a statement in the Morning
Aew of a fight on the St. Marys river, which
statement is incorrect, I send yon a true account,
and speak knowingly.
“On the night ot the sth March, an express was
sent to the Camp of the Ist Florida Cavalry, that
the enemy’s gunboat was up the St. Marys river,
as high as Mr. Albertie’c, and that she was-in
search of the steamer Hard Times, loaded with
arms and ammunition, from Fernandina. A de
tachment of one hundred and fifty men were sent
to the relief of the Hard Times, under command
of Capt. N. A. Hull, and a little after sunrise, on
the morning of the 6th, when near the river, at
Crozier’s Bluff, the gunboat was discovered going
down the stream very rapidly. Capt. Hull then
marched his command at a gallop four miles
down the river to White Oak Bluff, getting ahead
of the boat. W r e engaged her for about 30 minutes
under a heavy fire of cannon and small arms. The
boat did net halt, but kept up the fire until one
mile below the bluff. Having but one round of
ammunition, we could follow no further. We es
caped with three men and two horses slightly
wounded. We think of the enemy there were 25
or 30. killed, and a number wounded.
“Having heard that Capt. Hull has made an of
ficial report to his commanding officer, I will not
say any more than the cargo of the Laid Times
was saved, and an old citizen of Camden county,
Georgia, now a citizen of Florida, Mr. Stephen
McCall, volunteered and went with the command
and took four deliberate shots at the Yankees.
He says if he did not kill some, he does not
know why? Spectator.”
Sav. Rep., April Zd.
From the Richmond Dispatch, April Ist.
TO THE PATRIOTIC-THE VALUE OF
CHURCH BELLS.
The Ordnance Bureau of the Confederate States
solicits the use r of such bells as can be spared
during the war for the purpose of providing light
artillery lor the public defence. While copper is
abundant the supply of tin is deficient to convert
the copper into bronze. Bells contain so much tin
that two thousand four hundred weight bell met
al, mixed with the proper quantity of copper, will
suffice for a field battery of six pieces. Those
who are willing to devote their bells to this path'
otic purpose, will receive receipts for them, and
the bells will be replaced, if required, at the
close of the war, or they will be purchased at fair
prices.
Bells may be directed as follows :
Richmond Arsenal, Richmond, Va., Captain B.
G. Baldwin.
Fayetteville Arsenal, Fayetteville, N. C., Capt.
J. C. Booth.
Charleston Arsenal, Charleston, S. C., Captain
F. L. Childs.
Augusta Arsenal, Augusta, Ga., Lieut. Colon
W. G Gill.
Mount Vernon Arsenal, Mount Vernon, Ala.,
Captain J. L. White.
Columbus Depot, Columbus, Miss., Major W. R.
Hunt.
Atlanta Depot, Atlanta, Ga., Lieutenant M. H.
Wright.
Savannah Depot, Savannah, Ga., Captain R. M.
Cuyler.
Knoxville Depot, Knoxville, Tenn., Lieutenant
P. M. McClung.
Baton Rouge Arsen il, Baton Rouge, La., F. C.
Humphreys, military storekeeper.
Montgomery Depot, Montgomery, Ala., C. G.
Wagner, military storekeeper.
The Government will pay all charges to these
places, and receipts will be promptly returned to
the proper parties.
Persons and congregations placing their bells
at the service of the Government are requested to
send a statement of the fact, with a description
and weight of the be’l, to the Chief of the Bureau
of Ordnance at Richmond, for record in the nar
Department.
We lear that the particular occasion of the
de lay of the Merrimac in the dock is not the wan t
of ammunition , but the construction of important
improvements, which, of course it would beim«
pr udent to detail. We are also pleased to learn
in this connection, that there is a prospect of the
promotion of Lieutenant Catesby Jones, a bill
ha vine onlv passed the Senate yesterday to relax
the rule of‘the promotion by seniority, so far as
to admitof the limited promotion of officers for
gallant and meritorious service, without reference
to any other consideration. . ,
Richmond (Va.} Hxammer, April 1.
1 From the Mem>Mr(Tenn.] Avalanche, March 39Ui.
ISLAND 10.
Inasmuch as the bops and expectation of our
people seems to centre on the above point, we
have taken the trouble to procure all the facts of
interest concerning the late bombardment, as well
as the evacuation of New Madrid, together with
other matters that will prove interesting at this
time.
The enemy made his appearance above Island
10, on the morning of the sth instant, with a
force of three gunboats, five mortar boats, and a
number of inoffensive tugs and transports. He
speedily made his preparations for the bombard
ment by placing the mortar boats tn position
easterly firun the Island, and a point of land and
the mam channel intervening. The boats in
the meantime threw a few rifle shots at the bat
teries on Hie Island and at the floating bwttery, to
induce a return Ore, and thus ascertain the points
to be assailed. Alli our batteries, however,, main
tained a dogged silence with the exception of
Captain Rucker, who returned the fire with a few
shots, though out of range, which caused the
enemy to single him out, and ot one o’clock the
bombardment commenced in earnest from the
five mortars. About threfe-fiftbs of the shells
were directed at Rucker, the balance at the Island
and the floating battery. At night the firing
ceased —nobody hurt.
The first day’s work was entirely experimental,
although some thirteen ineb shells, and several
thousands of pounds of gnn-powder had been,
expended. The second morning some changes
were made in the position of the mortar boats.—
before nine o’clock, and at that hour, a steady
bombardment was continued until dark—about
nine hours—during which time the mortars fired
steadily about twenty times an hour, from each,
making in all about nine hundred shells. None
of our batteries opened until about sundown,
when the enemy landed two six pounder rifle
pieces and placed them opposite the floating
battery, and- owing to the peculiar situation of the
shore, hd was not discovered until he bad opened
with one of his pieces, but before his shot had
fairly landed, the guns,of the floating battery
were manned, and the rifle thirty two pounder,
"Davis," belched forth the first answering note at
the enemy, in range. Our boys lined the shore
of the Island, and as the sharp crack of the big
rifle was heard a tremendous cheer was sent up ;
the universal depression caused by the shelling,
without being able to return the fire, was in an
instant dispelled; “we’re at ’em on our side now,”
ran along the line. In an instant all was hushed,
and all eyes were strained to see the effect of the
fire. It was but for an instant, for the gun was
well aimed and the shell took effect upon the ene
my’s piece, dismount ng it and knocking down
his connoniers. Then came immense applause,
end a rapid and well directed tire from the bat
tery, winch sent the rascals scampering, for dear
life across the field. This was the end of that
day’s work, the enemy down and rather worsted.
All night the mortars continued to play slowly at
Rucker, the tracks of the shells being distinctly
marked through the air by the burning fuzes. Early
in the morning the shelling was rapidly renewed.
At one o’clock the gunboats formed a line of bat
tle, heads down stream, and approaching to
within about 2,000 yards of Captain Rucker's
b attery, lashed together, and made fast to the
Tennessee shore, began a furious cannonading
upon the last named battery. Their firing was
rapid and well directed, most of the shells going
into the parapet or directly over it. Rucker
commenced replying accurately and deliberately,
frequently striking them. The Belmont gun, not
the Lady Polk, of Captain Humes’ battery, also
replied, sending her 100 pound shot a distance
of three miles, and dirt-Hly over the boats. After
cne or two shots she struck the enemy several
times. Several other batteries opened but fell a
little short. At sundown the enemy hauled, off,
his loss not known. Ours was one man killed,
and several slightly wounded by splinters. This
brush, though of no great consequence, cieariy
demonstrated that to reduce Rucker’s battery
the enemy must come to close quarters, and then
he comes within ea-y range ol Humes’ terrible
Belmont battery, which is in itself capable of con
tending with all the gunboats that the Linconites
have on the Western rivers, besides several other
batteries will be in almost point blank range.
8o well are our batteries located, that the enemy,
undertaking to reduce one, exposes himself to
fire from the others on all sides, fwre and aft. We
may well imagine that if Columbus was held in
dread, without a cross fire to her batteries, Island
No. 10, with this great advantage, will prove a
mighty stumbling block. From the third day
forward up to the last advices, the mortars were
still shelling the timber about Rucker’s battery
and poor, unoffending Island No. Our men have
become perfectly accustomed to the sport, and
sit and watch the curiing smoke from the mor
tars, with no more remark than “That’s for us."
Dodging having proved tiresome, has gone out
of fashion.
Much credit is due Captain Rucker and his
officers, for the manner in which they returned
the enemy’s fire. Lieut. Sanders manned one
side of a gun himself after the parapet had been
shot away. Others did well also.
Lieutenant-commanding. Samuel W. Averett, of
the floating battery, and his officers, also desorve
commendation for the gallant style in which they
dislodged the enemy from.the Missouri shore.
The Navy officers who watched the fight
throughout, are not of the opinion that the ene
my’s gunboats sustained any serious damage.
The boats continued the action until dusk, and
then hauled off separately. They did not appear
to be crippled, and, strange to say, the identical
gunboats remain in sight of Island 10, notwith
standing one of them sank below Hickman.—
There bas never been more than three gunboats
at Island 10, and they are there still.
Our troops on ihojlsland and the mainland are
in excellent The entire line shore is
guarded by infantry and. batteries to prevent the
enemy from effecting a crossing in force. The
passage of any considerable number of troops
across the river from New Madrid in flat boats or
on rafts is simply absurd. They cannot keep
close in on the Missouri, rafts are unmanagable,
and flat boats nearly sc. Neither can they be
constructed without it being known to our ragi
ments opposite, and should it be done and the
voyage undertaken, Flag officer Hollins will be at
his post.
As for subsistence stores and ammunition, both
are in great abundance. It is found perfectly
easy to transport all needed articles from Tipton*
ville—it being only four miles over a good level
road.
All agreed that the attempt of the enemy was a
farce, far after throwing shells nearly two hun«
dred and forty hours, we may sum up the result
as follows ; He has expended over three thou
sand thirteen-inch shells, and a hundred thousand
pounds of powder, and has not yet struck the
parapet of a battery, has not touched a magazine,
bas not destroyed a single house or dismounted a
piece of ordnance, bas not hit a man or damaged
us a farthing’s value. In addition to this, he has
fought one of our batteries for five hours with
three gunboats, in which encounter but one man
was killed on our side. Then why should we not
be confident in our position ? If our soldiers, who
are insight of the enemy, are confident, why
should we not also be?
There seems to be much solicitude for fear that
our communication with Tiptonville has been cut
off. Such is not the case. AU transports laden
with army stores and supplies are convoyed to
Tiptonville by the gunboats, where they discharge
and return in safety. Two twenty-four pounder
guns have been placed in position by the enemy
below Tiptonville, but they received a sound
drubbing from Capt. Carter, of the General Polk,
some days since, which has induced them to re
main quiet.
Arrested.—An individual, whosejname is
known to uswas arrested, in this city, yesterday,
and confined in the GuardHouse.at the instance
of the Vigilance Committee. He worethe uniform
•f an officer, and had a furlough, whose terms
we by nomeans warranted by the Army Regula*
tions. He wasjengaged icpur chasing cotton ana had
already invested to a considerable amount. These,
with other circumstances, induced his arrest. If
innocent, we hope he will be able to establish it to
the satisfaction of the committee, who, we are
glad to perceive; are determined that the political
character of all who visit this community, shall
be above suspicion— Col. {Ga.) Sun, April 1.